Rib for cotton-gins.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

A. ANDREWS. RIB.FOR COTTON GINS.

I APPLICATION FILED NIB. 9. 1007.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. ANDREWS, OF GBANTVILLE, GEORGIA.

RIB FOR COTTON-GINS.

Application filed February 9, 1907.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 24, 1908.

Serial No. 356,618.

through which the gin saws have movement in the operation of ginning.

The primary object of the invention is to form gin ribs with longitudinal trenches or cavities located adjacent to the point where the saws engage the cotton roll to cause the latter to pull the seed while the saws take the cotton. The trench or cavity of each rib has a projection disposed longitudinally therein to force the seed closer to the saws to enable the latter to more effectively take off the lint from the seed. The pressure of the rotating cotton roll forces the seeds into the cavities or trenches of the ribs and causes the lint to separate from the surfaces of the seeds without breaking the lint as in the use of ribs of ordinary construction having flat surfaces. The liberated seeds pass down through the trenches and over the lower extremities of the ribs and fall into suitable receptacle means. From the point of maximum depth, the trench of each rib gradually becomes shallower towards the upper portion thereof to allow the cotton roll to have a gradual upward incline. V

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of a cotton gin showing the improved rib therein. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through a portion of a cotton gin showing the saws and ribs constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the ribs. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of one of the ribs. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of the ribs.

Similar characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the views.

The numeral 1 designates the frame of a gin of ordinary construction, and includes upper and lower rails 2 and to which the opposite extremities of ribs 4 are securely fastened, the ribs as shown in their general contour being similar to those usually employed in ginning organizations. Between the ribs 4 the saws 5 are arranged to rotate and project sufliciently in advance of the ribs to effectively engage the cotton roll 6, which is held pressed up under suitable tensign by the breast 7 with respect to the said r1 s.

As hereinbefore indicated, the invention consists in forming each rib with a trench or cavity 8 located adjacent to the upper extremity thereof and at a point above the maximum engagement between the saws 5 and the cotton roll, the deepest part of the trench or cavity being near the lower terminal thereof. Extending longitudinally a projection or septum 9 which divides the trench into two parts, the septum tapering or converging toward its lower extremity, as clearly shown by Figs. 3 and 4. The trench and the point of maximum engagement of the saws with. the cotton roll that the cotton fiber will be drawn over the trench and the seed liberated and forced into either one of trench and defined by the central projection or septum 9. By forming the trench of each rib, as specified, there will be less surface contact between the fiber and the rib, or, in

over' the trenches, and the strain thereon which is present when the ribs are used having flat faces is reduced to a minimum, and fracture or injury of the fiber is less liable to occur. The projection or septum 9 terminates above the lower end of the trench so that the liberated seed forced into the spaces 10'may be more readily directed from the lower terminal of the trench downwardly over the curved face 11 of the rib through the outlet 12 into a suitable receptacle, as in ordinary gin structures.

The foregoing form of the rib is particularly intended for gins utilizing wide ribs. Fig. 5 shows a rib for use in narrow rib gins and is of less transverse extent than the first described rib, the trench 8 being used and similar to the trench 8 with the exception of the projection or septum 9 which is dispensed with in the narrow rib.

It will be observed that the cotton roll, by its pressure and movement, operates to press the seed into the trenches of the several ribs while the saws are pulling or operating on the said roll, with the material advantage that the seed may be liberated more readily and the lint taken from the roll between the ribs through the center of the trench or cavity is or rib is located in such relation to thesaws the spaces 10 extending longitudinally of the other words, the cotton fiber will be drawn by the saws. In other words, the saws act as usual on the cotton roll, while the movement and pressureon the latter liberate and force the seed into the trenches of the ribs.

To render the trench effective as a seed receiving means and to permit said trench to outlet effectively and cause the seed therefrom to be directed downwardly over the rib, the latter has a regular downwardly inclined upper surface, the lower terminal of the trench being positioned with respect to the downwardly inclined portion of the rib so as to insure a movement of the seed downwardly over the rib.

The improved rib will be found exceptionally advantageous in ginning operations, and it will be obvious that the position of the trench may be changed to accommodate various makes of gins without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, is:

1. A rib for a cotton gin having a seed receiving trench extending longitudinally straight through the center thereof and located adjacent the point of engagement of the saws with the cotton roll, the trench means being formed within the body of the rib.

2. A rib for a cotton gin having a trench extending longitudinally of the upper portion thereof and provided with a longitudinal septum to form seed receiving spaces.

3. A rib for a cotton gin having a straight seed receiving trench formed in the upper portion of the body thereof and extending longitudinally through the center of the side which is located adjacent the cotton roll, the deepest portion of seed receiving trench ssavsz being near the lower terminal thereof and adapted to receive seed which passes down turns terminating above the lower ends of the said trenches.

5. A rib for a cotton gin having a trench or cavity in the side thereof adapted to be located adjacent to the cotton roll and near the upper extremity, the said trench or cavity having a septum extending centrally therethrough and converging toward its lower end, the lower end of the septum terminating above the lower end of the trench or cavity.

6. A cotton gin rib having trench means formed in and extending lengthwise of the center of the body thereof, the lower terminal of the trench outletting to a downwardly inclined portion of the rib.

7. A cotton gin rib having trench means formed in the upper portion of the body thereof and extending longitudinally of the center of the same between the opposite side edges, the lower terminal of the trench outletting to a downwardly inclined portion of the rib.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS A. ANDREWVS. l/Vitnesses J. H. BUnRow, C. O. OoYLn. 

